Kayaking

Puerto Galera is a place that abounds with streams and waterfalls. For this reason, kayaking is one of the exciting and interesting activities that guests can indulge in. It can involve the whole family.

There are several venues in the island that offers the opportunity to go kayaking. The equipment can be rented for the entire day and guests can avail of a single or double kayak.

A trip on a kayak can be a pleasant experience. There are travel agencies that include a trip to the Alag Riverbank in their tour package. Kayaking is a combination of hiking with an added twist of maritime aspect. A normal trip will take about three and a half hours depending on how fast the river flows and speed of the paddling by the guest.

Location

To reach the venue for the kayak trip, guests would first have to travel by jeepney which would take them to scenic spots crossing the mountains. Next, guests would have to paddle downstream and take a lunch break on the banks. Upon reaching the river delta, the guests would take a super banca that would take them to their hotels before sunset.

Kayaking is ideal for couples who are looking for a romantic getaway in the secluded mangrove inlets or for the more adventurous guests seeking to battle the currents and waves of the Verde Passage. The kayak trip covers the 42 kilometer shoreline that makes Puerto Galera famous.

Cost

Kayaks can be rented from the Puerto Galera Yacht Club as well as from resorts that are dedicated to water sports. For guests who came by themselves and want to hire the services of a guide, most of the resorts in Puerto Galera have educated guides who knows about kayaking as well as current safety and environmental guidelines.

Kayaking in Alag Riverbank is worth PHP 2,450 per person. The package is for a minimum of 6 persons.

History

The island of Puerto Galera was established by Spanish religious missionaries as the capital of Mindoro Island in 1574. However, its beginnings can be rooted beyond the Metal Age. According to artifacts excavated at the Lalaguna and Minolo, an ancient culture had already thrived in the area prior to the arrival of the Spaniards.

Puerto Galera may have derived its name from the Spanish ships that were based in the island during the early years of colonization. Galera is a Spanish word for galley, a twin-masted shallow draft ship. During that time, local galleys known as parao were used in making short distance trading. It was likewise used as a warship in order to prevent or avert any attack from pirates or chieftains of the neighboring islands.

However, with the dawning of tourism in the 20th century, The Port of Galleons has become the more acceptable meaning of Puerto Galera. Regardless of its meaning, the island has been a source of refuge for many galleons during storms and typhoons that frequently hit the country from May to November.